Cornice and cover for containers



Oct. 10, 1944. A HowlE CORNICE AND COVER FOR CONTAINER original Filed April 1, 193e 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.l

E MS I Y W 1E O N H m m T D T N A. X E L A A. HOWIE CORNICE AND COVER FOR CONTAINER oct. 1o, 1944.

Original Filed April l, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR,

ALEXANDER Howlg BY z MJ Patented Oct. 10, 1.944

UNITED STATES i PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates, as indicated, to containers, but has reference more particularly to the type of container known as an outer container, and which is usable in lieu of freight car or highway truck bodies.

Containers of this type may have various forms and dimensions, but must conform to railroads and highway clearance limits, as well as to those of industry. The maximum width of a railroad car is governed by the clearance line established for general interchange service, which is now 9. The maximum overall width of highway vehicles has been established at 80 in all but two ofthe forty-eight states. Similarly, there are overall height limitations for1 highway vehicles and structures, the minimum overhead clearance on most main highways not exceeding 12'6". With most highway truck platforms nearly 4'6" above the road surface, the overall height of an outer container should not exceed 8'0" for general service. Doors and openings in plant buildings and warehouses may impose even smaller overall dimensions for containers. Less definite limitations are imposed by existing standard lengths and load limits of railroad freight cars and of highway vehicles, but such standards must be considered in determining container dimensions.

In view of the aforesaid dimensional limitations, it has been tentatively determined that an outer container, of the dimensions-length, 10 ft., width, 8 ft., height, 8 it., and having a load capacity of 500 cu. ft. and 25,000 pounds could be utilized to carry approximately 85% of all tonnage suitable for carriage on freight-carrying vehicles, and would thereby greatly increase the efficiency of such vehicles.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a container of the character described, which is designed for fast and economical freight service, can be used to carry eciently a large proportion of all dry materials, in bulk or packaged, which is usable interchangeably on all land and water transport vehicles, which will stimulate regular scheduled movements of goods in quantities desired by shippers and consigners and which will greatly reduce empty return hauls by rail and highway now required because present freight vehicles are not adapted to carry a sufficiently wide variety of goods.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a container which is adapted to permit handling thereof by lift-truck, rolling, sliding and hoisting, and which is suitable for handling products of a perishable nature.

To the accomplishment ofthe foregoing and related ends, said invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claim.

' The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detail certain structure embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various structural forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawings:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a container embodying the invention; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional View, taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. l; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional View, taken on the line Q of Fig. l; Fig. 5 is a detail, on an enlarged scale, of the portion ofthe structure indi'cated by the circle A in Fig. 4; and Fig. 6 is a detail, on an enlarged scale, of the portion of the structure indicated by the circle B in Fig. 4.

The container, as shown in Fig. l, comprises a base or bottom I, Wall units 2, door units 3, a cornice unit l and a top or cover 5.

The base l consists of four structural channels and l which are welded to each other at their ends to form a substantially rectangular frame, the flanges 3 `of these channels extending inwardly towards the interior of the frame.

The base further includes skid channels 9, the Webs of which are recessed to receive the lower anges of the channels 1, which are welded to the channels 9 along the recesses. Additional means, such as angle clips I0, are provided for securing the ends of the skid channels 9 to the webs of channels l. The upper flanges` of the skid channels lie in a plane somewhat below the plane of the upper anges of channels 6 and 1, thereby providing space for a floor which may consist of boards II of hardwood or the like. Portions of the outermost boards underlie the flanges of channels l, While the ends of the boards underlie the upper anges of channels 6 and rest on angles I2 secured to the channels 6 and extending longitudinally thereof. Rings I3 may be secured to the channels I to facilitate hoisting of the container.

The wall units 2 are identical with each other in construction, so that a description of one unit will be sufficient.

Each wall unit consists of a vertically extending angle I, to each leg of which is securedy as by rivets I5, a plurality of vertically spaced horizontally extending angles I6, these angles being spaced suiiciently close together to provide the requisite strength. The lowermost angles I6 rest on the upper iianges of channels 6 and l, and the angle I4 extends sufliciently below such lowermost angle to provide a portion for attachment, as by bolting to theV abutting webs of channels 6 and 1. Channels may be employed in lieu` of the angles I6.

The ends of the angles I6 which are secured to the angle I4 are spaced from each' other to provide a space for a conduit Il, which extends from a point adjacent the lower end of angle I4 to any desired point adjacent the uppermost angles I6. This conduit may be utilized for the purpose of supplying refrigerated air for suitably conditioning the interior of the container. An inlet I8 may be provided in the channel l for connec-tion to the lower end of conduit I'I.

Secured to each of the angles I8 is a wood nailer strip I9, these strips Iproviding means for the attachment of wood sheathing 28, which forms the lining or interior Wall of the container. Instead of wood sheathing, plates or panels of corrugated metal may be used. Therouter walls of the wall unit are formed by sheet-metal panels or plates 2l, preferably of corrosion-resistantv metal. The plates 2l, may be secured in position by the same rivets which secure the angles I6 to the angles I4, or in any other desired manner, and are secured at their other vertical edges to vertically extending channels 22. The channels 22 are secured, as by suitable angle clips (not shown) to the ends of angles I and abut the edges of the wood sheathing 2D. The upper end of conduit I'I has an outlet I'Ia which extends through a suitable opening in the wood sheathingV so as to conduct the refrigerated air into the container. The angle I of each wall unit extends to the level of theuppermost angles lIlig and secured to each of the angles I4 is an angle member 23 which serves to removablyv connect the wall unit to the cornice unit 4, as will be apparent from Fig. l.

The space between the plates 2| and the sheathing 2E) is adapted to be filled with a suitable insulating material, such', for example, as mineral wool.

Each side of the container is provided with a door unit 3, which extends between the opposed channels 22 of the corner units.

The door units are similar in construction to the wall units, and each consists of a pair of doors 24. Each door is secured as by hinges 25 to one of the wall units and consists of two panels 24a and 2Gb secured to each other as by hinges '26. Each panel of the door consists of a rectangular frame which comprises a vertically extending angle 2l, a vertically extending channel 28 and top and bottom angles 29 and Il!)A respectively. Additional horizontal angles 3| are provided, and a sheet metal outer plate 52 is secured to the frame and angles 3l. Nailer strips 35 are secured to the angles 29, 30 and 3l and serve for the attachment of wood sheathing 34, as in the wall units, the space between the plates 32 and sheathing 34 being filled with suitable insulating material. Y

For the purpose of obtaining a water-tight seal between the door units and the corner units, th'ere is secured to the web of each of the channels 22 a pressed-metal channel 35 containing a strip 35 of rubber of channel-shaped crosssection and providing a seat for engagement by the vertical member of a strip 31 of bre or the like of T-section, and which is secured to the door frame angle 2l. A similar water-tight seal is maintained between each of the door panels 24a and 24h.

A similar water-tight seal is provided between the doors of each door unit when closed'and consists of a rubber-lined channel 38 secured to the channel 28 of one of the panels 2417 and an angle strip 59 secured to the channel 28 of the corresponding panel of the other door.

Secured to one of the channels 28, as by rivets 4l] and metal strip 4I is a strip of rubber 42 which serves to seal the joint between the channels 28 when the doors are closed. Similar rubber sealing strips 43 are provided at the lower edges of the doors togprovide a water-tight joint between the doors rand the base, these strips being maintained in position by means of metal strips 55, which are secured to the angles 3i) as by rivets 45. Rubber sealing strips 46 are likewise provided at the upper edges of the doors and are maintained in position by means of metal strips fl'l and rivets 48. Y

The cornice unit 4 comprises a substantially rectangular frame consisting of upper and lower channels 49 and 5I) respectivly, which are maintained in spaced relation by means of corner angles 5l, these angles serving to secure sheet metal plates 52 to the channels. Wood nailer strips 55 are secured to the channels 49 and 50 and serve for the attachment of wood sheathing 54, which forms the inner wall of the cornice unit. The space between the plates 52 and sheathing 54 may be filled with insulating material.

For the purpose of preventing excessive flow of water on the doors during rainy weather, a sheetmetal gutter 55 isl disposed overnthe doorways and is secured to the cornice unit as by rivets 55. This gutter, as will be apparent, will divert the new of water past both' sides of the doorway.

The top or cover 5 is of a construction similar to that of the other units and comprises a substantially rectangular frame made of angles 51 Y which are welded or otherwise secured to each other at their ends, the downwardlyextending legs of these angles being spaced somewhat from the exterior walls of the cornice unit to provide a space through which air may enter. These angles serve for the attachment of a sheet-metal top plate 58, to which are secured angles 59 supporting nailer strips 66. The nailer strips serve for the attachment of wood sheathing ISI, which forms the top interior wall of the container. Filler strips 62 are interposed between the plate 5B and angles 59 so as to space the horizontal legs of frame angles 51 from the upper surfaces of the cornice unit, when the cover is in position, as shown in Fig. 4. Portions of the cover may be filled with kinsulating material, Vif desired. Air vents 63 are provided in the'sheathing 6I adjacent the edges, so that air which enters the space between the corniceV unit and cover may have access to the interior of the container. For the purpose of iltering this air, lter means 64 is provided, which is secured to the downwardly extending legs of angles 51.

The cover is removably secured to the cornice unit as by locking means 65 adapted to be actuy ated from the inside of the container, it being Suitable locking means (not shown) is also provided for Vthe doors of the container.

A container, as thus made, is extremely sturdy and Well adapted for the carriage of a large variety of freight. Being substantially rain-proof and well ventilated, injury orvdamage to goods in transit is avoided, particularly in the case of perishable goods. Being constructed of standard structural shapes and materials readily obtainable in the open market, replacements of worn out or defective parts is greatly facilitated, so that the delays and expense incident to the securing of parts of special and intricate design is avoided.

This application is a division of my co-pending application, Serial Number 72,170, led April 1, 1936, entitled Container Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the onel explained, change being made as regards the structure herein disclosed, provided the means stated by the following claim or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

In a container of the character described, a cornice unit, a cover mounted thereon and comprising a frame including angle irons extending along the periphery of said cover, said angle irons each having a horizontal flange spaced vertically from the upper edge of said cornice unit and a depending ange spaced from the outer Walls of said cornice unit, the resulting spaces admitting air into the interior of said container.

ALEXANDER HOWIE. 

